Carmelo Anthony will miss tonight’s game against Phoenix with a hyperextended knee he suffered on Christmas against the Lakers. Raymond Felton will also miss the game with a sprained ligament in his right pinkie.

Felton walked into the arena with a cast-like apparatus on his hand. The Melo news was a stunner as he said after the Lakers game he was “a little sore,” but expected to play. James White will start in his place.

“He slept on it, got up this morning and couldn’t do it,’’ Woodson said of Anthony..

Melo and Felton stayed in the trainer’s room before the game in an area prohibited by the media. “Nothing to say,’’ Anthony said. “I’m getting treatment.’’

I’m sure if he could play he would play. I’m sure it’s bothering him,’’ Woodson said of Felton. “Raymond’s a tough cookie. He plays hurt. I’ve known that throughout his career. It’s one of the reasons we brought him aboard. He’s tough. He has struggled the last few weeks with his hands. If he could play, he would play tonight. Obviously it’s bothering him.”

Anthony scored 34 points against the Lakers, but took just three shots in the fourth quarter, perhaps slowed down by the knee injury. Melo tweaked his the joint in the second quarter when Marcus Camby fell on his leg after driving to the basket. Anthony hopped around in pain for nearly a minute, but stayed in the game.

Mike Woodson said Wednesday that Melo woke up and was feeling in pain and felt he could not go. Woodson said he did not expect Anthony to undergo any furuther tests.

It’s the fifth game Anthony has missed this season. He’s also missed games with a cut middle finger and a sprained left ankle.